When you think of healthcare supplies, what comes to mind first? A stethoscope to hear a heartbeat. A syringe to give a needed shot. Ahhhhhh, the “open wide” tongue depressor!
Medical Adhesive Tape 101
Medical adhesive tape, or surgical tape, is used to attach Medical Bandages, gauze, and other dressings to skin around wounds. Most adhesive tapes are a type of pressure-sensitive tape; i.e., tape that sticks and stays in place with firm pressure. There’s no need for heat activation or a solvent. Medical adhesive tape can be made from various materials, but most are breathable for comfort and ease of use.
Types of Medical Adhesive Tape
Micropore Paper Tape — Commonly used to secure bandages and dressings to skin without leaving a sticky residue, micropore paper tape is hypoallergenic and can be used long-term, without fear of skin irritation. Its adhesive sticks to the skin, underlying tape, or directly to dressing materials. Tiny holes, or micropores, in the tape, make it breathable (speeding up healing), and it’s easy to tear (ideal for emergency situations).
On the ambulance, this was the one that always ran out first, leaving a box full of useless, hard-to-tear tapes for the unlucky guy who got there last.
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Sticks to anything: While it’s specifically designed for medical purposes, it will stick to anything. It needs to be applied dry, but it sticks through sweat, hair, and blood no problem.
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Waterproof: You can go swimming or take a shower and this medical tape will stay on.
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Made with pores: It is covered in a grid-like pattern of tiny holes that give it some unique properties. Sweat and body fluid will pass right through it without causing it to come off. Air can reach the skin underneath it. Its pores allow you to tear in a straight line both across and lengthwise in order to customize the width.
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Easy to tear: Unlike many cloth tapes, 3M Transpore rips easily using your fingers both horizontally and vertically.
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Strongest adhesive tape for skin: If you need to take it off, you don't necessarily want the strongest tape, but sometimes the strongest is the best.
Hand exercise balls are simple and extremely versatile, which makes it easy to practice a wide range of effective exercises to strengthen the hands.
This article will share 8 hand therapy ball exercises to improve fine motor skills after stroke.
Effective Hand Therapy Ball Exercises
The most effective way to promote hand recovery after stroke is through high-repetition practice. Consistently practicing these 8 hand therapy ball exercises will help stimulate the brain and promote its ability to rewire itself (neuroplasticity).
Start with a set of 10 repetitions of each exercise, then build up your strength to aim for 2-3 sets of 10. As long as these exercises do not cause you pain, you can even try to do them a few times a day!
